Graham Associates has been appointed to manage the rebranding and international real estate marketing programme at South African residential estate ‘The Rest’.
Last year The Rest became 100% owned by Sanlam, one of South Africa’s largest listed insurance and financial services companies, following a period of financial uncertainty under the previous owner.
After undertaking an ‘audit’ of the estate and consulting with the homeowners, Sanlam appointed renowned SA Development Manager Secondlifestyle, which in turn invited a team of leading international specialist consultants to visit the site in November, in order to review and discuss the new owner’s redevelopment plans to transform it into a residential estate that will rank among the best in the thriving Mpumalanga region.
In 2014, with a substantial capital investment from the new owners, The Rest is about to undergo a major upgrade to world-class standards, including the security, infrastructure, landscaping, marketing and general facilities that were inherited.
This picturesque 320 hectare, low density gated community is set high up in the hills overlooking the City of Nelspruit, approximately 3 hours’ drive east of Johannesburg on the road to the Kruger National Park and Mozambique. Although only 4 km from the city centre, with its soothing breezes and spectacular uninterrupted views, this area benefits from a comfortable year-round climate, approximately 4-5° cooler in summer than in the valley below. In total 900 residential stands are planned, divided into five neighbourhoods.
The bird life here is spectacular and as part of the rebranding exercise we will be creating a haven for the dozens of beautiful indigenous bird species, working closely with Birdlife South Africa on conservation and education.
